ROCKFORD — Twelve adult students, all living in public housing, are the first graduates of a new entrepreneurial course that aims to revitalize Rockford innovation.

The four-week program was spearheaded by Etsy, an online marketplace for crafts, along with Mayor Larry Morrissey and housing authority officials.

Participants are taught how to navigate and set up a shop on the Etsy website. Most importantly, they’re taught how to market and price their work, whether it’s photography, woodwork, clothing, jewelry or art.

For many of the graduates, it’s their first opportunity to showcase and market skills they’ve had their entire lives.

“I’m just ready to go,” said Juanita Hughes, who lives at Fairground housing and makes handmade necklaces and jewelry.

They started the course nervous, skeptical and unsure. But, many, like Hughes, have already sparked ideas about expanding their work beyond their original niche.

Hughes intends to start making women’s clothing along with her jewelry.

Jamie Kasper, who started her online shop with drawings of African wildlife, has plans to offer custom paintings on commission and is writing a children’s book about a mother and daughter art duo.

Bill Benson, 66, sees it at second chance. He salvages wood and other materials from places like old barns to make original mirrors, coffee tables and benches.

“I don’t have to sell my time to someone else,” Benson said. “I’m making the things I always wanted to make. It’s just been a great program.”

The course is the first of its kind. Etsy officials plan to offer similar courses in partnership with New York and other cities across the country and internationally.

Morrissey and the Rockford Etsy team plan to expand the program here and offer separate courses for parolees and prisoners reentering society. By January, they plan to roll out a program with the Rockford School District so students can “learn and earn,” Morrissey said.

“The idea is that students aren’t just learning about making art, but learning how to sell it and the business side of art through the Etsy platform,” he said. “Our belief is that if we bring this idea entrepreneurship through the use of Etsy, we can reduce barriers to start a business.”